The Tyrol is in for a treat

Thornton Methodist Church provided the venue as Arnold's Girls' Choir, School Choir and Swing Band took to the road for a pre-tour concert before their trip to Austria at half-term. The Church interior lent to us by Arnold parents the Rev Mark Hammond and Mrs Sally Hammond provided an excellent location with its thrust stage in the chancel for the swing band, whereas the choir were seated comfortably within the apse at the rear of the building. In the afternoon rehearsal, Director of Music, Mr Chandler, was naturally concerned that the choir's sound would disappear into the lofty ceiling of this space, but in the event it provided pleasing hollow acoustics and every member of a packed house heard the choir's confident rendition of its tour itinerary: John Rutter's 'Look at the World' and 'Clare Benediction', selections from 'Les Miserables', Bruckner's 'Locus Iste' and John Coleman's 'Rhythm of Life'. The Girls' Choir provided us with beautiful arrangements of Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'Sound of Silence', as well as Fauré's 'In Paradisum' from his Requiem and Mozart's 'Ave Verum Corpus'.

Our audience were also delighted to hear a preview of the Romance from Finzi's 5 Bagatelles, which Alexander Card will be playing with a string ensemble at the Choral Society Concert in March. We heard one of the five, which admirably whet our appetite for the other four. As ever the Arnold Swing band impressed with their dynamism and versatility. They provided a vibrant support for Emily Adams, Aimee Desmond, Tom Hammond, Chloe McConville and Lucy Smith. Lucy performed a powerful tribute to the late Etta James, and Emily Adams and Tom Hammond also sang heartrending versions of modern classics.

With rock music, classical, soul, R-and-B, jazz, dignified church music and songs from the shows, there was something in this concert to please most musical tastes, and the standing ovation accorded the Choirs, Swing Band and soloists was testament to the audience's obvious enjoyment. The unfamiliar church surroundings seemed to bring out the best in all the performers and the whole evening was an unforgettable reminder of the talents of Arnold School pupils and staff. Over £800 was raised and half all proceeds will now be donated to the Compassion Project in Kenya. If the choirs and band can replicate this standard on their Austria tour next week, then the Tyrol will indeed be in for a treat.

To view the gallery of photographs, please click here.

Posted by: D E Smyth
Date: Tuesday 07/02/2012

  • The Tyrol is in for a treat